Dennis,

Thanks. That clears things up.

John Rodgers
88 GL driver

Dennis Haynes wrote:
> In regards to the rear wheel cylinders, the original equipment were ATE.
> These were unique in that they contained a spring to push the pistons
> against the shoes. The cylinders now supplied by the dealer are usually made
> in Brazil units that do not have this spring. Why pay more to get less.
> Without the spring, the pistons will sometimes creep in away from the shoe
> causing that low pedal until you pump effect. Otherwise I see little
> difference in cylinder brands.
>
> One thing about the OEM shoes is the thickness of the lining. The lining is
> a riveted lining a full 6mm thick. Most aftermarket shoes have bonded
> linings of 4 or 5mm thickness. Thus the curve is not correct to match up
> with the drum. Add that to the fact both the adjuster and cylinder are on
> top and you get the poor shoe contact. If the drums are worn the problem is
> even worse. That is where the shims on the lower shoe mounts help. For those
> that work on early busses or bug note that the lower shoe mounts are
> actually the adjusters. In fact the early star adjusting nuts and shoe rest
> will fit the Vanagon.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> John Rodgers
> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:16 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Rear Brake Confusion - Dennis Haynes
>
> Dennis,
>
> I post this to the List so everyone can benefit.
>
> I have the weak rear brake problem on my 88 GL. Only a small area at the
> end of the brake shoes contacts the drum. The drums are fairly new, -
> less than a year old - and the shoe lining is nice and thick. But it is
> obvious the shoes are contracting the drum only on the upper ends. In
> reading your response to Don Hanson regarding a cheap brake upgrade -
> you listed part numbers for brake shoes and a hardware kit for same. You
> also mentioned ATE wheel cylinders but gave no part number - only
> commenting the dealer's are not a choice here. Maybe I'm being a bit
> dense here - but what did that mean? Which specific ATE wheel cylinder
> is are you addressing .... 1) a Vanagon wheel cylinder? ... or other?
> 2)  and what year?? Does this change relocate the adjusters?
>
> Would you mind going into it a bit more as to what is  to be
> accomplished when all this is done? Clearly the adjusters and the
> cylinders being at the same end of the shoe only allows one end of the
> shoe to contact the drum. Please describe what is happening and what is
> being accomplished in the changeover.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
>
>